Royal University of Fine Arts in Cambodia students communicate with professor Wang Jianxin about ancient Chinese instruments. [Photo/chinaculture.org]

On Dec 15, a new episode of Chinese Culture Talk – Explore the Beauty of Chinese Classical Music - opened at Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. Students from Royal University of Fine Arts and officials from the diplomatic department were among the 200 people who attended the lecture.

During the lectures, Chinese celebrity couple Wang Jianxin and Li Fengyun introduced the characteristics the Chinese zither and Sheng (a reed pipe wind instrument), both ancient Chinese instruments. They also elaborated on the eight categories of musical instruments of the ancient orchestra.

Melodies played include a Xun solo Song of Chu, Chinese zither solo A Song of Guanglin and High Mountain and Flowing Water, an ensemble Southerly Wind Song of Chinese zither and Xun, ensembles Secret Fragrance and Plum Blossom Melody of Chinese zither and Xiao.

Phoeurng Sackona, Cambodian's Culture and Fine Arts Minister said: "Music is a catalyst to happiness, it makes us feel happy and delighted in our lives. Such a lecture is an important exchange of ideas for the two countries, no matter in promoting the traditional instrument or in music theory studies."

After the lecture, German ambassador to Cambodia Joachim Baron Von Marschall told Chinaculture.org that it was a very good experience for him.